一切經音義 72.265

72.265

毘陀（或言韋陀皆訛之應言鞞陀此云分也亦云知也四名者一名阿由此云命謂醫方諸事二名夜殊謂祭祀也三名婆磨此云等謂國儀卜相音樂戰法諸事四名阿闍婆拏謂呪術也此四是梵天所說若是梵種生滿七歲就師學之學成即作國師為人主所敬梵天孫毘耶娑仙人又作八鞞陀也）。

"Veda (毘陀)" (some say Weituo, both being erroneous; it should be said as Beituo [Veda]. Here it is translated as division; it also means knowledge. The four names are: first, Ayu [Āyurveda], translated here as life, referring to medical arts and formulas; second, Yezhu [Yajurveda], referring to sacrificial rituals; third, Pomo [Sāmaveda], translated here as equal, referring to state rites, divination, physiognomy, music, military strategy, and so forth; fourth, Ashepona [Atharvaveda], referring to incantations and spells. These four were expounded by Brahmā. If one of the Brahmanical lineage turns seven years of age, he goes to a teacher to study them; when his studies are complete, he becomes a State Preceptor and is revered by the ruler of men. Brahmā's grandson, the ṛṣi Vyāsa, further compiled eight Vedas).